Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, yesterday returned home after wrapping up a two-day working visit to Kigali, Rwanda.
The visit was headlined by a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, where the two discussed ways to deepen cooperation between Uganda and Rwanda, with particular focus on regional peace, security and strengthening ties between the neighbouring countries.
Gen. Kainerugaba’s visits to Rwanda have become a familiar feature of the improving relationship between Kampala and Kigali. In recent years, his engagements with President Kagame have played a significant role in rebuilding trust after a period of strained diplomatic relations that disrupted trade and cross-border movement.
Those efforts were publicly acknowledged by President Kagame during a visit to Uganda, when he praised Gen. Kainerugaba’s contribution to restoring relations between the two countries.
“Great generals are not those who fight and win wars, but those who win peace,” President Kagame remarked, describing the Ugandan army chief’s role in helping mend ties.
Beyond high-level diplomatic meetings, Gen. Kainerugaba also took time to explore some of Kigali’s ongoing development projects. He toured the King Faisal Hospital Expansion Project, visited Nyandungu Eco Park and the Parklane Estate residential development, accompanied by Kigali City Mayor Sam Dusengiyumva.
Sports development also featured on his itinerary. Gen. Kainerugaba met NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi to discuss opportunities for growing basketball in Uganda. Among the ideas explored was the establishment of a Junior NBA League in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports, aimed at nurturing young talent across the country.
As his visit concluded, Gen. Kainerugaba was seen off at Kigali International Airport by Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Mubarakh Muganga. He was joined by RDF Republican Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Willy Rwagasana and Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Col. Ezekiel Matsiko, marking the end of a visit that underscored the continued warmth in relations between the two countries.
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